Hybrid flow and pressure regulation

Abstract

A gauge for a hybrid pressure and flowgauge regulator includes first indicia and second indicia. The first indicia provides an indication of a flow rate of a gas exiting an outlet of the hybrid pressure and flowgauge regulator when the gas exits with a pressure below a gauge threshold pressure. The second indicia provides an indication of the pressure of the gas exiting the outlet of the hybrid pressure and flowgauge regulator when the pressure of the gas exiting the outlet is above the gauge threshold pressure.

We claim: 
     
       1. A single gauge for a hybrid pressure and flowgauge regulator comprising:
 first indicia providing an indication of a flow rate of a gas exiting an outlet of the hybrid pressure and flowgauge regulator when the gas exits with a pressure below a gauge threshold pressure; and 
 second indicia providing an indication of the pressure of the gas exiting the outlet of the hybrid pressure and flowgauge regulator when the pressure of the gas exiting the outlet is above the gauge threshold pressure, wherein the first indicia and the second indicia are disposed in a radial area extending around an outer portion of a gauge face of the single gauge. 
 
     
     
       2. The single gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the first indicia and the second indicia each comprise visual indicia. 
     
     
       3. The single gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the first indicia defines a zone for at least one of brazing and purging. 
     
     
       4. The single gauge of  claim 3 , wherein a zone for brazing spans flow rates in a range of 4-8 cubic feet per hour (CFH) while a zone for purging spans flow rates in a range of 23-35 CFH. 
     
     
       5. The single gauge of  claim 3 , wherein the outlet of the hybrid pressure and flowgauge regulator defines two flow pathways, a first zone for brazing indicates that the gas is flowing along a first pathway of the two flow pathways, and a second zone for brazing indicates that the gas is flowing a second pathway of the two flow pathways. 
     
     
       6. The single gauge of  claim 5 , wherein when the gas flows along the first pathway the gas flows through a first orifice and a second orifice included in the outlet, and when the gas flows along the second pathway, the gas primarily bypasses the first orifice and flows through one or more auxiliary pathways included in the outlet before flowing through the second orifice. 
     
     
       7. The single gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the first indicia and the second indicia are included in distinct portions of a radial band that extends through the radial area. 
     
     
       8. The single gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the second indicia includes radial indicia configured to indicate the pressure of the gas exiting the outlet. 
     
     
       9. The single gauge of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a gauge needle that is rotatable through the first indicia and the second indicia. 
 
     
     
       10. The single gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the gauge threshold pressure is in a range of 200 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 250 PSI, inclusive of 200 PSI and 250 PSI. 
     
     
       11. A gauge for a regulator comprising:
 flow rate indicia that provides an indication of a flow rate of a gas exiting an outlet of the regulator; and 
 pressure indicia that provides an indication of a pressure of the gas exiting the outlet of the regulator, the flow rate indicia and the pressure indicia being provided on a single face of the gauge, wherein the flow rate indicia defines a zone for at least one of brazing and purging. 
 
     
     
       12. The gauge of  claim 11 , wherein the flow rate indicia and the pressure indicia each comprise visual indicia. 
     
     
       13. The gauge of  claim 11 , wherein a zone for brazing spans flow rates in a range of 4-8 cubic feet per hour (CFH) while a zone for purging spans flow rates in a range of 23-35 CFH. 
     
     
       14. The gauge of  claim 11 , wherein the flow rate indicia and the pressure indicia are disposed in a radial area extending around an outer portion of a gauge face of the gauge. 
     
     
       15. The gauge of  claim 14 , wherein the flow rate indicia and the pressure indicia are included in distinct portions of a radial band that extends through the radial area. 
     
     
       16. The gauge of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a gauge needle that is rotatable through the flow rate indicia and the pressure indicia. 
 
     
     
       17. The gauge of  claim 16 , wherein the gauge needle overlaps the flow rate indicia to provide the indication of the flow rate when the pressure of the gas exiting the outlet is below a gauge threshold pressure and wherein the gauge needle overlaps the pressure indicia to provide the indication of the pressure when the pressure of the gas exiting the outlet is above the gauge threshold pressure. 
     
     
       18. The gauge of  claim 17 , wherein the gauge threshold pressure is in a range of 200 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 250 PSI, inclusive of 200 PSI and 250 PSI. 
     
     
       19. A gauge for a regulator comprising:
 flow rate indicia that provides an indication of a flow rate of a gas exiting an outlet of the regulator; and 
 pressure indicia that provides an indication of a pressure of the gas exiting the outlet of the regulator, the flow rate indicia and the pressure indicia being provided on a single face of the gauge, wherein the flow rate indicia and the pressure indicia are disposed in a radial area extending around an outer portion of a gauge face of the gauge. 
 
     
     
       20. A gauge for a regulator comprising:
 flow rate indicia that provides an indication of a flow rate of a gas exiting an outlet of the regulator; 
 pressure indicia that provides an indication of a pressure of the gas exiting the outlet of the regulator; the flow rate indicia and the pressure indicia being provided on a single face of the gauge; and 
 a gauge needle that is rotatable through the flow rate indicia and the pressure indicia.